Dundee United will spend the World Cup hiatus at the foot of the Premiership following a 1-0 defeat against Aberdeen.
Bojan Miovski notched the only goal of the game from the penalty spot after Duk was felled in the box by Tangerines keeper Mark Birighitti.
United pushed for parity after the break, with a golden opportunity passed up when an Ian Harkes cross was played behind Steven Fletcher just as the Terrors striker was primed for a tap-in.
However, the Dons held firm to continue their fine home form — and leave United three points adrift at the bottom of the division.
Small margins and miscalculations
While Aberdeen enjoyed more possession (55% to 45% at half-time) there was very little between the sides in the first period.
Glenn Middleton saw a shot deflect narrowly wide for United, Matty Kennedy flashed a drive over the bar for the hosts.
United were fairly comfortable, if limited in the final third. Ryan Edwards and Ross Graham were solid alongside Liam Smith, Craig Sibbald was biting into challenges in midfield.
However, the Dons claimed the lead in a flash with 36 minutes on the clock.
Middleton lost possession as United committed bodies forward, and the ball was quickly zipped into the feet of Miovski. The North Macedonian marksman skipped past Graham before sending Duk haring through on goal.
The Dons forward was hauled down by Birighitti, who appeared to hesitate for a split second as he rushed from his line.
Willie Collum was in no doubt and VAR Steven McLean did nothing to disabuse the referee of his opinion.
Miovski, who passed up a gilt-edged chance when United hammered Aberdeen at Tannadice last month, made no mistake from 12 yards.
Another miscalculation almost cost the Tangerines dear when Graham inexplicably allowed a long punt from Kelle Roos to drift over his head — seemingly unaware Duk was ready to pounce.
The young defender heaved a sigh of relief when Duk lobbed inches wide.
Gilt-edged opportunities
Aberdeen looked the more likely to double their advantage in the early knockings of the second half.
Wonderful back-post clearances by Graham were required to deny Miovski a certain goal on two separate occasions. Kieran Freeman then cleared a net-bound Ross McCrorie effort off the line.
But United DID have their chances. Big ones.
Sloppy play from Aberdeen allowed Harkes to scamper down the channel and, with Fletcher crying out for a tap-in, the American’s cross was behind the Terrors’ striker.
Fletcher, an excellent focal point all night, and Graham both stung the palms of Ross.
Dylan Levitt’s professionalism and poise
Levitt can head off for the World Cup with plenty of momentum.
The former Manchester United man made 68 accurate passes (more than any United player), almost teed up Fletcher for a leveller and won possession 10 times — more than any other player on the pitch.
Emerging on the losing side will sting, but he can reflect on three good displays on the trot as he prepares to link up with Rob Page’s group.
And given the life-changing experience ahead for him, Levitt’s professionalism, dig and diligence throughout was outstanding.
United must reset and recharge in a concertinaed Premiership
Sitting bottom of the league at the World Cup hiatus with 12 points from a possible 45 is clearly dire.
From the appointment of Jack Ross, the debacles away in Alkmaar and against Celtic at Tannadice, to disappointing home reverses against the likes of St Mirren, St Johnstone and Motherwell.
It has been a largely galling first half of the campaign for the United faithful and they will rightly question decision-making, recruitment and performances.
But this display was night and day from the meek, porous showings that characterised the opening weeks of the campaign.
A five-week break — around three of those used for a mini pre-season — will allow Liam Fox to further convey his ideas and properly put the first half of the campaign in the rear-view mirror.
There have been enough signs of progress to suggest fans can be tentatively positive about that, particularly given the concertinaed nature of the league.
While United are three points behind Ross County and Kilmarnock, they are also nine behind fifth placed Hearts.
There is much still to play for.
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